MAGNOLIA — Despite the fact the Southern Arkansas Lady Muleriders haven’t won a game this season, Arkansas Tech’s Golden Suns were focused from the opening tip Saturday and knew they had to play well on the road.

Four ATU players scored in double figures, senior Rosie Silva broke her own school record with 131 steals this season, and the Golden Suns started with an 8-0 run and ended with an 83-60 Great American Conference win over SAU.

SAU (0-23, 0-18 GAC) didn’t score its first basket until the 16:59 mark, so the Lady Muleriders knew it would be a long day. Arkansas Tech (18-6, 15-3) continued to score in the paint and increased its advantage to 28-12 midway through the first half when senior Jessica Weatherford scored two of her 13 points inside. She also pulled down six rebounds.

Southern Arkansas went on an 8-0 scoring run and cut its deficit to 35-21 with 5:29 remaining, but the Suns led 48-27 at halftime after shooting 52 percent from the field and held the Lady Muleriders to just 31 percent shooting (9-of-39).

ATU started the second half just like it did the first — with another 8-0 run, and held SAU scoreless until the 16:38 mark. A 3-pointer by Cara Neighbors (14 points, nine rebounds) extended the Suns’ margin to 71-40 with nine minutes left.

Arkansas Tech turned to its defense to end this one, and it was Silva who grabbed eight steals to establish the career steals record with 131. She also led the Golden Suns in scoring with 15 points.

Jasmine Poole scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds. ATU shot 50 percent from the field for the game.

Now the focus shifts to the final two games of the regular season, both inside Tucker Coliseum — against Harding on Thursday night and East Central next Saturday afternoon.

“This is a big week,” Golden Suns head coach Dave Wilbers said. “One, we’re playing for a conference championship. Two, we’re playing two very good women’s teams. More importantly, I think about senior week. Come support the teams, but also come support those seniors. They put in a lot of hours, and both teams are playing good basketball.”

“Come out and make a difference. I’m ready for our crowd to make a big difference. When you think nobody can hear you, we can hear people. Our players hear people, we appreciate it. We don’t take it for granted.”